18

Common Problems

The following is a list of frequently asked questions and their answers:

When I play an audio file, I do not hear any sound.  What can I do?

First, make sure that your computer is set up to play audio.  If you are running the Windows version of Solo Performer Show Controller, make sure that you have a sound card installed.  Check the computer system sound output volume to make sure that the sound is not turned off.  Verify that QuickTime is installed.

I have a DMX512 compatible light, but I do not know its DMX Description Table.  What do I do?

The first suggestion would be to try to obtain the table from the manufacturer.  Most manufacturers publish their manuals on their web site for free downloading.  Also, on the Alien Apparatus Company, Inc. web site, there is a library section with DMX512 description tables and device files for lighting equipment from many lighting manufacturers.  See the following web page:

http://www.alienapparatus.com/library.html

If you come up completely empty in getting a table, the light device can still be used provided that you do some experimenting to figure out how it works.  It is recommended that you make a test device file using the Device Editor and fill in the descriptions for lines 1 though 20 with the numbers 1 through 20.  So, for example, DMX value 1 would have a description of "1", and DMX value 20 would have a description of "20".  Save this device and go to the lightshow builder screen.  Set the device on one of your channels to be your newly created device.  Attach your light fixture and make sure its address matches the address on Solo Performer Show Controller's channel.  Now move the slider and record what the light does for each number.

Having done this, now go back and edit the device so that it now has the numbers 21 through 40 in the description column next to the numbers 21 through 40.  Make sure that you delete the previous set of numbers, from 1 to 20.  Now go back to the lightshow builder and repeat the testing.

This process should be done all the way through to the last row of the DMX512 description table.  When you are done, you will have a list of what all the DMX512 values do.  Now you can go make a real device file for the light.

Where can I get audio files to use with Solo Performer Show Controller?

See the audio file tips section of Chapter 9.  Also, visit the user forums at the Alien Apparatus Company, Inc. web site for more suggestions.

http://www.alienapparatus.com/forum

How can I play audio files that are on a compact disc?

Audio files can be played directly from a compact disc on the Macintosh version of Solo Performer Show Controller.  On Macintosh systems, CD audio files show up as .aiff files.  In Windows operating systems, things are a bit different.  CD audio contents show up as .cda files that are not audio files at all, but are only very small "information" files.  In Windows operating systems, CD audio is not currently supported directly in QuickTime, thus Solo Performer Show Controller cannot read CD audio directly.  The CD audio files must first be converted to a format that QuickTime can handle, such as .mp3, .wav, or .aiff.  There are lots of utility programs that can be found on the internet to do this conversion.

How do I suppress an instrument in the audio?

If the audio file is a MIDI file, this can be done.  See Chapter 10 under the section "Suppressing MIDI Tracks".

If the file is not a MIDI file, this cannot be done.  For suggestions on how to get appropriate audio files, visit the user forums at:

http://www.alienapparatus.com/forum

How do I change the instrument that is being played in a MIDI file?  For example, my MIDI file plays back drums and piano parts, but I want the piano part to be played as a saxophone.

Solo Performer Show Controller plays back MIDI files as they are, but does include a utility to strip unwanted tracks from the file.  To change one instrument to another, a MIDI editing program needs to be used.

I want to run a light show, but my lights don't change.  What is wrong?

First, make sure that the light device addresses are set up correctly following the light manufacturer's instructions.  Secondly, make sure that the channel that is controlling the device in Solo Performer Show Controller is set to the correct address.  This can be seen in the Lightshow Builder window.  Thirdly, make sure that your cabling is correct and that the wiring on the lighting device matches the diagram on the foot controller.  Lastly, make sure that you are using a terminator on the last DMX512 device in the chain.

How do I make my lights change in time with the music?

There are a couple of ways to do this.  The easiest way is to active a "sound activated" setting on your lights, if your lights have this feature.  This can be done by sending a DMX512 command to the lights.  See your lights' DMX512 description table to see if your lights support this.

Another way is to use a DMX512 controllable chase controller.

Another way is to program the lights scene by scene in the lightshow builder.

I made a new device file, but it does not show up in the popup menu on the lightshow builder window.  How can I make it appear?

Only those devices that are in your device library folder will show up in the menu, and then only if their filename ends with ".dmx".  You many change the location of the device library folder in the preferences pane.  See Chapter 16.

I saved a light scene from the lightshow builder window, but it does not show up in my scene list?  How can I make it appear?

Only those scenes that are in your scene library folder will show up in the menu, and then only if their filename ends with ".scn".  You many change the location of the scene library folder in the preferences pane.  See Chapter 16.

My fog machine does not initialize correctly.  What should I check?

First, make sure that you have set up the fog machine correctly following the procedure in Chapter 16, Customizing.  Secondly, make sure that you have set the DIP switches on the fog machine properly.  And finally, the initialization commands are only sent by Solo Performer Show Controller when the program is first launched and when the foot controller is first detected.  Unplug the foot controller and plug it back in.  Then choose Reconnect Foot Pedal from the File menu.